Sunday, September 7, 1997

"Today is our chance to say 'thank you' for the way you brightened our lives, even though God granted you but half a life. We will all feel cheated that you were taken from us so young, and yet we must learn to be grateful that you came along at all."

Pakistan is scheduled to celebrate Air Force Day to commemorate the exploits of the air force in the 1965 war with India.

The non-televised portion of the 49th annual Primetime Emmy Awards is scheduled to take place in Pasadena, California.

On the horizon

On Monday, September 8, Italian foreign affairs commissioners are scheduled to visit Turkey on a human rights tour.

On Tuesday, September 9, U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright is scheduled to begin her first Middle East trip.

On Wednesday, September 10, Vietnam celebrates the anniversary of the founding of Vietnam's Fatherland Front.

On Thursday, September 11, the World Council of Churches Central Committee is scheduled to begin a session in Geneva.

On Friday, September 12, Ireland's President Mary Robinson is scheduled to step down as head of state nearly three months before the end of her term to take up new United Nation's post.

On this day

In 1706, French troops besieging Turin under the command of the Duke of Orleans
were defeated by Austrians under Prince Eugene, ending
French attempts to capture northern Italy.

In 1714, the Treaty of Baden was signed between the Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI and France, ending War of Spanish Succession. Charles ceded Alsace and Strasbourg to France and got back Breisach, Kehl and Freiburg.

In 1812, the Russian army under General Kutuzov was defeated
at heavy cost by Napoleon at the battle of Borodino, 70 miles
west of Moscow. Napoleon entered Moscow a week later.

In 1813, the nickname "Uncle Sam" was first used as a
symbolic reference to the United States in an editorial in the Troy Post of New York.

In 1822, Brazil proclaimed independence from Portugal and
Pedro I became first Emperor of Brazil in December 1822.

In 1860, Giuseppe Garibaldi led his "Red Shirts" in seizing
Naples in the Italian war of liberation against the Austrians.

In 1892, in New Orleans, John L. Sullivan was knocked out by
James (Gentleman Jim) Corbett in the 21st round of the first
major boxing title fight to be fought under the Marquess of
Queensbury rules.

In 1901, in China, the Boxer Rising, which attempted to drive
out all foreigners, officially ended with the signing of the
Peking Protocol.

In 1940, the German air force under Hermann Goering began its
"blitz" bombing campaign on London. More than 300 people were
killed on this day alone.

In 1962, Taiwan broke off diplomatic relations with Laos, a
few hours after Laos had established diplomatic relations with China and North Vietnam.

In 1986, Bishop Desmond Tutu was enthroned as Archbishop of
Cape Town, South Africa. He was the first black head of South
Africa's Anglicans.

In 1987, West German engineer Alfred Schmidt was released
eight months after being abducted in Beirut.

In 1990, the United States won Saudi and Kuwaiti pledges to help pay
for forces in the Gulf during Operation Desert Shield".

In 1993, six former Soviet republics -- Russia, Belarus,
Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Armenia and Tajikistan -- signed
framework agreements to keep the Russian ruble as their common currency.

In 1994, the Stars and Stripes flag was lowered for the last
time over U.S. Army headquarters in Berlin, formally ending the American presence in the once-divided city after nearly half a century.

Newslink

Not to be overshadowed by Princess Diana's death, Mother Teresa left her own, lasting legacy. For more on this incredibly generous woman, visit CNN Interactive's special section: Mother Teresa, Angel of Mercy.